Former Aggie, current Green Bay Packer hosts youth event on campus of New Mexico State University

By Teddy Feinberg

tfeinberg@lcsun-news.com

@TeddyFeinberg on Twitter

Posted:
07/20/2013 05:51:43 PM MDT

Click photo to enlarge

Cornerback Davon House assists Mekhi Lowther, 5, with his oversized T-shirt Saturday while hosting a free youth football camp at NMSU on Saturday. "Fifteen years from now, I hope they (the kids) say, 'Davon House used to host camps out here and it was so fun. And school is going to take me further than anything in this world.' I hope that's what they get out of it," House said.

LAS CRUCES - Whether it be on the high school level, the college arena or the professional ranks, Davon House is an example of what sports can, and should be about.

Disregard the possible selfish play, negative headlines, or multi-million dollar contract figures that can come with the highest level of play.

House is simply a good soul, a former New Mexico State Aggie and current player in the National Football League with the Green Bay Packers. He returned to Las Cruces on Saturday to give back, holding a kids clinic on the campus of NMSU.

The camp was for children ages 5 through 13 on a practice field located just beside Aggie Memorial Stadium. It was free to the public and sponsored by USA Football and the NFL Play 60 Program.

House said over 200 campers participated, working on various drill work such as ball carrying, catching, backpedaling and, of course, their respective touchdown celebrations. NMSU head coach Doug Martin was present along with members of the Aggie training staff, administration and a handful of current players.

"It's great that an NMSU Aggie football player that's had some success would come back to the community like this," said Sal Wright, a loyal program supporter who assisted in the clinic's production. "It shows that if you go to NMSU and play football for NMSU, that you can get to the next level."

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Diego Mendoza's son is a member of the Las Cruces Rough Riders, a local youth football team. Mr. Mendoza said the team goes to NMSU football games regularly and recalled House taking the Aggie Memorial Stadium playing field from 2007 to 2010.

"Some people just want a ticket oughta here," Mendoza said. "It's pretty nice that he came back and is doing this for the kids. I think it's pretty neat."

In general, House returning to Las Cruces was good public relations for the community, New Mexico State University and, of course, the Aggie football program.

After all, House went from being a four-year starter with the Aggies to playing fairly well during his second year of pro football in 2012.

He was a player who progressed steadily while in Las Cruces, under-recruited out of Palmdale High School in California, before taking the field as a freshman and sophomore under then-Aggie head coach Hal Mumme. House's game would continue to grow during his final two years at the school via the tutelage of DeWayne Walker - a defensive backs guru with a long coaching history in the NFL ranks. By the time House's college career was over, it was fairly apparent he'd get a shot at the next level.

That April he was selected in the NFL Draft's fourth round by Green Bay.

"Davon is one of our golden children," said Wayne Stickney, Associate Athletics Director for Development at New Mexico State. "He's gone on and he's done good things. He's kept himself out of trouble. He's a role model. He embodies what Aggies are."

After his first year in the NFL was beset by injury and seldom playing time, House saw marked improvement during his second season in Green Bay. He started five games at cornerback in 2012, picking up 26 tackles, recording five pass breakups and a sack. He was also a contributor on special teams, blocking a punt during a Week 8 contest against Jacksonville.

House pointed out Saturday that he played through last year with a torn labrum, and believes if he can remain healthy in 2013, a productive season should follow.

"To me, I had an OK season," House said. "To the coaches, it was more than that. With a healthy shoulder and a healthy body, the sky's the limit for me. I've just got to stay healthy and prove it."

When asked to list his goals for the upcoming season, House said, "I plan on starting all the games and staying healthy. I plan on getting at least four picks. I obviously don't want to give up any touchdowns, but if I give up no more than two all year, I'd be happy with that. Just continue getting better, really."

House also has the luxury of playing a premium position. While his goal in 2013 is to be a full-time member of the starting lineup, he also acknowledged the NFL is a passing league and, with that, a team can never have enough quality cornerbacks at it's disposal.

Therefore, as long as House continues to improve and can contribute on special teams, he could still find a home in nickel and dime defensive formations, and remain a valuable contributor to the team.

"Our defense is a good one. Our secondary is a great secondary," House said. "Good things happen to players on our team. And it's a passing league. Teams need DBs that can do it all."

In terms of Saturday, House said he "had a blast."

"It was even more than I expected," he said. "I had fun, the coaches had fun, the kids had fun. So it was all good."

Added Martin: "It says a lot about Davon's feelings towards the university and his experience here being so positive. And this is a great outreach for the community. Not many kids get to come out with a player from the Green Bay Packers, an NFL player. That's a great thing for all of us."

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